In this WebRidesTV exclusive we interviewed Gerhard Grindly, deputy general manager of marketing for Honda, who showed us Honda's newest green offerings. First up was the new Honda Accord Tourer, a larger wagon version of the new Accord. The Accord has been the staple mid-size luxury sedan from Honda for many years, and it was only a matter of time before a crossover style body was offered. The Tourer looks like a Honda mix tape of different cars, borrowing design aspects from the Dodge Magnum, Suzuki Kizashi, and Mazda CX7 crossover. The Accord Tourer borrows the head and tail lights, engine, and interior from the standard Accord, while the body itself is unique for Honda.
The front valance is textbook crossover SUV material, with a taller ride height and larger SUV-esque wheel arches. The overall look is reminiscent of an Acura SUV or Mazda CX 7. The rest of the body follows similar lines to the Odyssey, only stretched and squeezed shorter. The side windows, featuring an outline in chrome with sharp points and flowing curves, are strikingly similar to those on the Suzuki Kizashi. The bright red paint also brings the Kizashi to mind, as does the curvy and bulbous rear end.
The rear valance is an interesting mix of Magnum and Kizashi, with the lower half being round and bulbous, while the top half features a rear window with an aggressive rake towards the front similar to a Magnum's. Moving on, Grindly also expounded on the research being done by Honda to improve efficiency in their vehicles, from saving weight, to lowering emissions, to researching new types of diesel, gas, and hybrid engines. Grindly then proceeded to what may be Honda's greatest contribution yet, the fully functional Honda FCX Clarity concept. The FCX Clarity is an all new vehicle that is production ready, and powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The Clarity is not a funky looking vehicle like the Prius or the Insight, but looks like a sportier, more futuristic version of the Civic. Currently being tested in LA by a test group of families, the FCX Clarity is the first real contribution by any automaker to completely ending dependence on oil, and it does it in style!
